LETTER: Voters are to blame for electing obstructionists

Some people have blamed Republicans for the government shutdown, others the Democrats. I’d like to suggest a new culprit for this mess — the American voter.

In the past two elections, a new kind of candidate interviewed for the honor of representing us. We should have paid more attention to what they said on their application form.

“I hate your business, and everything it does. Hire me and I’ll do everything possible to sabotage it. I’ll only work with people who agree with me. Put me with someone who doesn’t share my views, and I’ll demonize them along with women, gays and the poor. Just wait until you see what I’m willing to do to keep people from getting affordable health care! Hire me, and I’ll make noise, not progress.”

So here we sit, America, with no farm bill, no transportation bill, no budget, and no immigration bill. Our financial industry could set off another panic at any moment because of the lack of regulation, and our roads and bridges are falling apart.

This is who you hired to represent you, America. They don’t make up the majority of Congress, but they have enough power to shut down our government, and they’re not afraid to use it.

Maybe the next time you step into the voting booth you’ll go with the candidate who’s less colorful but who’s dedicated to getting things done, not blowing things up.